Defenders in Action: Helping Alaska Wildlife Survive the Impacts of Climate Change

The Arctic is ground zero for the impacts of climate change. Defenders of Wildlife is actively involved in a number of policy initiatives that will help species like polar bears, wolverines and walruses adapt to the realities of a warming planet.

How We’re Helping

Defenders participates in regular planning workshops and provide input to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s draft Polar Bear Conservation/Recovery Plan. As the “poster child” of climate change in Alaska, polar bears and their habitat have become a natural focus as we work to help the many species affected by climate change.

We also provide technical assistance and policy guidance to a number of state and national agencies to ensure wildlife and habitat considerations are deliberately and appropriately factored into land-planning decisions in Alaska.